Exiled Spiritual Leader Speaks About Capitalism and Nonviolence in Public, on Politics and China in Private

During his visit to the U.S. that began this week, the Dalai Lama will travel to Silicon Valley to chat about compassion with Adobe Systems Inc. co-founder Charles Geschke. Then, after a stop in Los Angeles for a speech on nonviolence, he will head to Minneapolis to discuss the nature of happiness. Not on the Tibetan religious leader's agenda: a public talk about the standoff between China and his supporters in Tibet.

Beijing's mounting pressure on foreign nations is making it more difficult for political leaders to meet...